Chinook Carrying an Excavator in Uttarakhand Viral Image is Edited
In recent times, social media has been flooded with images and videos that are often manipulated or misinterpreted to spread misinformation. The latest example of this is a viral image showing an Indian Air Force (IAF) Chinook helicopter airlifting an excavator to conduct rescue operations in Uttarkashi’s Dharali after the flash floods. The image has been widely shared on social media platforms, with many claiming it to be a real event.
However, fact-checking website BOOM has found that the image is actually an edited fake. In an exhaustive investigation, BOOM discovered that two separate unrelated photographs were merged to create the viral claim.
The image shows a Chinook helicopter hovering above a valley, with an excavator suspended underneath its belly. The scene appears to be a dramatic rescue operation, with the excavator likely being used to clear debris and aid in the rescue efforts. However, upon closer inspection, BOOM found that the image is a manipulated photo.
The first step in BOOM’s investigation was to verify the authenticity of the image. They searched for the image on various search engines, social media platforms, and official government websites, but couldn’t find any credible sources that confirmed the existence of such an event.
Next, BOOM analyzed the image to identify any inconsistencies or anomalies that could indicate manipulation. They noticed that the excavator in the image was a JCB, a widely used brand of heavy equipment, but the color of the excavator didn’t match the typical yellow color of JCB machines.
Further analysis revealed that the image was actually a combination of two separate photographs. The Chinook helicopter in the image is an old photograph that has been widely circulated online, while the valley and the surrounding mountains are from a recent photograph taken on August 5, 2022, after the flash floods in Uttarkashi’s Dharali.
BOOM’s investigation found that the old photograph of the Chinook helicopter was taken during a rescue operation in 2013, when the IAF used the helicopter to transport relief materials to a remote area in the Himalayas. The recent photograph of the flash flood was taken by a photographer who was on the ground, capturing the devastating effects of the disaster.
The fact that the two images were merged to create the viral claim is a classic example of misinformation spreading through social media. It’s essential to be cautious when sharing images or videos online, especially in times of crisis or emergency, as they can be easily manipulated to spread false information.
In conclusion, the viral image of the Chinook helicopter carrying an excavator in Uttarakhand is an edited fake. It’s essential to verify the authenticity of images and videos before sharing them online, and to be skeptical of information that seems too good (or too dramatic) to be true.
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